The way the Texas A&M offense has survived on the run this season would have even made Jesse James envious.

Through its first eight games, Texas A&M ranks fifth in the nation in rushing offense with more than 260 yards per game. The Aggies have eclipsed 350 rushing yards in two games so far. Kansas coach Mark Mangino knows how potent the A&M ground game can be.

“They do a good job of executing the offense and the option game,” Mangino said. “They try to out-gap you with running with the quarterback and creating an extra gap. Our defense has played well against the run all year but this is a different kind of challenge.”

Ranked seventh in the nation in defending the run, the Kansas front seven have been impressive, to say the least. But only one team the Jayhawks have played this year ranks higher than 60th in rushing offense. College Station, Texas, will be the site of Kansas defense’s first true test against a consistently efficient rushing offense.

The Aggie offense presents a complex problem because it’s not only one running back causing damage. Texas A&M has three primary ball carriers.

“Stephen McGee is just playing outstanding and running the ball very well,” Mangino said. “Plus, they have those quality running backs in Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson that also help that running attack.”

McGee, a junior quarterback, runs the show. In an age of college football where the majority of programs are deploying spread offenses, the Aggies stick to a classic approach with an option offense.

Most of the Texas A&M rushing plays start with McGee racing off to one side of the line with a decision to either keep the ball or pitch it to a running back. Using last week’s 36-14 victory against Nebraska as an indicator, McGee prefers to stash the ball and fight for the yards himself.

He ran for career-highs in attempts (35) and yards (167) in the game. Members of the Kansas defense said McGee made the offense harder to prepare for.

“That’s going to be a whole other dimension to their offense that we haven’t really seen this year because he will take off and he’s very fast, so you have to keep an eye on him,” junior defensive end Russel Brorsen said. “You have to keep your angles right because he’s not a normal quarterback.”

Running backs Mike Goodson and Jorvorskie Lane serve as McGee’s partners in crime. Goodson brings the speed and blew past the Jayhawks last year in Lawrence for 9.9 yards per carry. Lane brings the power at 268 pounds and already ran for 15 touchdowns this season.

Aggie coach Dennis Franchione said the Jayhawk defensive line looked great on film. If Kansas can slow down the unstoppable Texas A&M running game this weekend, Franchione will really have a reason to praise it.

Edited by Meghan Murphy